My original aim, to clear out all the unprocessed paperwork before Thursday, is looking rather optimistic to say the least. There’s just so MUCH of it all.
How much do I keep?
How much must anyone keep?
Just threw out a huge file of work from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, my one and only period as a full-time student, 1990-1992. It represents two year’s worth of note-taking on their Technical Theatre course, covering the techniques of lighting, sound, stage management, and so on. A waste of time? Well… I’m unlikely to start on that particular career path now, so I guess it has to go. I wasn’t particularly good at any of it, and I have no innate desire to jump-start such meagre skills.
I can’t possibly keep it, because if I do it means keeping everything else I’m not using at the present. Like every school exercise book.
Here’s a CV written circa 1993, when I was looking for work. Any work. Used it to get an office job, from which I was sacked a few months later for non-attendance due to sheer despair. Do I keep it?
This is what comes of viewing the boxes as me, rather than the person I used to be. And it’s turning into a tear-stained, madness-inducing exercise. I feel completely all at sea. And drowning. Help.
What do I do with the school grades and certificates of GCSEs? The school reports? How many photos? I know one must be brutal with anything not being used right now, but… will I ever need to mention my GCSE results at any point in the future?
The clutter-clearance books (which are taking up too much space…) say you must throw out everything connected with any periods of your life that represent frustration and unhappiness.
Fill in the wry retort yourself.
Oh, okay then. Some school report quotes. Great Cornad Upper, Summer Term, 1986.
Maths: ‘Sometimes Dickon forgets that he is not the only pupil in the class!’
English: ‘He has a great talent for this subject. He has a range of vocabulary, a precision of technique and a maturity of thought and expression which makes his work a pleasure to read. There is, occasionally, a tendency to over-elaborate…’
Chemistry: ‘… he must learn to be a little less intense… Relax a bit, it’s good for you!’
Geography: ‘I think he would benefit by spending a little less time debating more minor issues…’
Incredibly the PE report is favourable, and mentions me knowing my limitations but still doing my best. The Headmaster singles this out for his comment on my whole term.
I’m going to have a cup of tea, then go for a walk. And then I’m going to try and tackle the piles again.
